10 Of My Favourite Things – September 2014

September 28, 2014Angela (Oh She Glows)

by Angela (Oh She Glows) on September 28, 2014

Oh my, it’s been an exciting week! Our baby girl, Adriana, was welcomed into the world on September 21st. We are so in love with this sweet little monkey. I can hardly handle it. In case you missed it, my announcement post is on the Baby section here.

I prepared a bunch of posts in advance for the next several weeks, so keep your eyes peeled for some recipes to come. I can’t believe it’s been almost a year since I put together a Things I’m Loving Lately post. What the heck? That year went by fast. I thought it was time to finally get my butt in gear and share some of my favourite new-to-me products. As always, this is not a sponsored post – I’m just spreading the love.

1. So Delicious Coconut Milk Ice Cream Bars (Almond)

My mom got me hooked on these and oh boy did we go through a lot of boxes this summer! The first time Eric tried one he thought it was made with real dairy ice cream. Bravo, So Delicious…you make a fine ice cream bar free of any dairy. I also like that the ingredient list is quite simple.

If you are scarf-challenged like me, you’ll find this how-to video inspiring.

3. Thayer’s Rose Petal Witch Hazel (Alcohol-free)

I started using this toner almost a year ago and now I’m never without it. I was never a big toner person, but this one is so gentle and non-drying. I’m always amazed by how much make-up comes off my skin even after washing my face. I’ve noticed less breakouts and I think this extra step is a big reason why.

4. Luke’s Organic Sweet Potato, Hemp, and Buckwheat Chips

These are my all-time favourite snacking chip. They are a bit like the Food Should Taste Good Sweet Potato chips, but these are organic and have other fun ingredients like buckwheat and hemp. I love them with hummus, guac, or fresh salsa.

5. Lakewood Organic Super Veggie Cocktail

It took me a while to find a solid veggie cocktail drink, but once I found this Lakewood brand I never looked back. I went through a phase during my 3rd trimester when I was chugging 2 glasses of this stuff a day. There are 2 servings of veggies in every cup which is great. I love all the healthy veggies you get in one glass (kale, swiss chard, tomatoes, beets, carrots, celery, etc). Best of all: no artificial ingredients, additives, or preservatives.

6. Clean Well Hand Sanitizer

This is the natural hand sanitizer that we’ve been using for years now. My purse is never without it and I love the light lemony scent. It’s thyme oil based instead of alcohol based. I don’t think sanitizers replace actual hand-washing, but it’s nice to have in the purse (especially after handling skeevy grocery carts) until I can get home to wash my hands properly.

7. Black River Organic Cranberry Juice

Another kick I got on while pregnant: Making “mocktails” with Pellegrino, lime juice, and a splash of 100% cranberry juice. Be warned – it’s very tart, but you can add sweetener if you like. I loved knowing I was also getting the health benefits of cranberry juice in there. This brand is 100% pure juice and not from concentrate.

8. Natural Choice Coconut Fruit Bars

I’ve been buying these for years now, but I’m not sure if I’ve ever shared them on here before. If you are a coconut fan you will LOVE these popsicles. My favourite part is the base where all the shredded coconut meat falls to the bottom!

9. Avalon Organics lavender hand soap

I’ve tried a ton of hand soaps over the years and this one is our favourite. It’s thick and coats the hands nicely, foams well, and leaves behind a fabulous lavender scent. It makes hand-washing feel like a spa experience!

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Im also using the same toner. I’m on my first bottle still but I already love it. I’m definitely buy another one once this one is done. Not sure if you are aware about the iherb.com store which sells a lot of vegan and natural products, I got this toner for 8 or 9 $ . I think it sells for 11 $ here in Vancouver. If you order from them for less than 50$ and 4 pounds weight, you will only pay 4 $ for shipping and avoid customs charges. I noticed that a lot of things are quite cheaper than those available in Canada. Just a small tip for us Canadians :))

I also use the Avalon Organics brand. I just bough a shampoo and conditioner but didn’t try it yet but I head its really good!

Yes things are cheaper here, I live just across the border from Canada and we have so many Canadian shoppers, but then again, you get lots and lots of vegan products in your country that we just don’t have access too!

Love the alcohol free hand sanitizer. Alcohol just rips my poor hands apart in winter-time and products are so helpful for people like me with purple toes and purple fingers in winter.

Congrats Angela – I am so happy for you…I kept checking your site all last week in hopes of the good new :-) You are off on your best adventure yet!!!!

I love this post too – witch hazel is SO great – I have been using it for years and now have my 3 teen boyz using it. Also love the popsicles though have not tried the coconut – I love the raspberry! Will have to buy the coconut ( and with this hot weather – the refreshing cold is still needed ;-)

Avalon is one of my favorite brands – will try the hand soap…and now you are making me want to try the chips! Great ideas – thanks!

Oooh, the fact that we both like the same toner, scarf-tying videos and spray hand sanitizer makes me think I should try a few of your other picks! Thanks so much for sharing — and a belated congratulations :)

The boot cuffs look fun-what a cool idea! And yes, super handy for those of us who have muscular calves! My Mom got me hooked on witch hazel…she would always have a bottle of T.N. Dickenson’s on hand to use for toner, and I use the same to this day! Funny how daughters pick up small stuff like that from their Moms :)

I hae been using Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel since the first of the year and am amazed at how it has minimized my pores. What a difference in just 8 or 9 months. Love this stuff and buy it 3 bottles at a time on Amazon. If you have large pores, I highly recommend this.

If you know how to knit, there are terrific free patterns for boot cuffs online as well. :) I went to work and made some for my daughter, a friend, and myself. They are terrific! I have the same calf issues. ;)

Congratulations on your little one!!! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. Life is so full of blessing and wonder. Especially in a newborn baby.

Oh my, those boot cuffs are so cute! I will definitely be checking out the scarf tutorial too because I need some new ideas in that department. Right now I’m loving the new-ish Superseed flavour by Mary’s Gone Crackers, and anything pumpkin (I know, it’s so predictable!) Hope you had a great weekend, Ange!

I have followed your blog for about 4 years now, and I can’t tell you how happy this post makes me! Congratulations!! And thanks for the tip about your favorite hand sanitizer. I am always on the lookout for a good “non-alchohol” based cleanser, and this sounds perfect!

I love those So Delicious bars too! They are one of my faves, I always keep them in the freezer. I found a great deal at Superstore in the summer and bought a whole heap of boxes. I still have a few left – not sure how long they will last, though. Ha!

Those ice cream bars are amazing – discovered them this summer and love love love them!! I buy them at Costco (score!) and they are such a good price (when dairy-free ice cream can tend to be a bit expensive!). I will keep my eyes open for those chips – I am sure they go great with hummus! Loving that you brought back the “my ‘fav’ things” post! :)

Those coconut almond bars are one of my absolute favorite treats! I found them at Target once and then they stopped carrying them. We just got a Whole Foods, though, and they are well stocked with the deliciousness! I also recently picked up a pint of the Coconut Bliss Ginger Cookie Caramel and it’s perfect for this time of year!

I just wanted to tell you how much you inspire me with your blog and way of living! I’ve always wanted to share my love of food and living and so I actually created my own blog called the Therapist’s Kitchen. Congrats on your new daughter, we almost shared a birthday! Along with my nephew, cousin, and like 20 other people, lol! No wonder she decided the 21st was the better day! Anyway, I love your recipes and positive attitude, you never disappoint :) I can’t wait for my copy of your book to arrive either, I’m so impatient! Stay golden :)

Congratulations on your beautiful baby girl! She is a lucky little lady to be born into such a health focused home! Best of luck with all the adaptations that you will be maneuvering over the next little while – I know you will rock it. :)

I love Avalon Organics products! I use their toner and facial cleanser and also Clean Well hand soap.
The boot cuffs are super cute…but these new born leg warmers are even cuter!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/151127690/itty-bitty-lil-lacie-grey-baby-newborn?ref=shop_home_active_2
One thing I’ve been loving lately is making my own blush. It’s super easy, organic, vegan and crazy affordable.
http://www.thecleandish.com/all-natural-homemade-blush-with-dried-raspberries/

Hi Angela! Congrats on the birth of your daughter! I love your blog and love love love your cook book. It has been so well used that I may need another copy. Thanks to you I have become a vegan and could not be healthier and happier. Your “favorite things” posts have introduced me to so many wonderful new products. Sometimes I find it hard to locate some of your favs even though I am in Toronto. Do you think that you could add some shopping tips as to where to find each product? Not now of course… you have your hands full!!!

Hi Liisa, if you get a chance to visit Roncesvalles in Toronto there are 2 healthfood stores on the strip and they carry ALL of that and more (minus the boot cuffs which are an online purchase likely). Good luck!

Tell me, with all of those brands that you mentioned, are they all vegan? After deciding to eat vegan, it slowly dawned on me that household products, personal care products (shampoo, conditioner, face cream, etc.) all seem to either use animal products in them, or they test on animals. I’d rather make the humane choice, but finding good products isn’t easy. At least, not yet. Any suggestions for products available in Canada would be greatly appreciated!

I LOVE number 10! I have muscular calves too and I’ve always loved the socks and boots combo but I’ve never been able to pull it off (or up since I can’t get my boots up with socks!) I’m totally getting a pair for me and mom!!!

Love your site. We are just starting out eating whole foods, no dairy/meat and really appreciate good quality recipes, and suggestions. If you like the clean well hand sanitizer, you would love Doterra ‘s essential oils line of onguard products….using a blend of essential oils that have no chemicals in them. ada

Hi Angela, my friend introduced me to your blog and got me your cookbook. I couldnt thank her enough. Ive been following your blog religiously and sharing it with others. You are simply fantastic!!!!!!! I have 2 small kids at home and have made food for them using your recipies, but I was wondering if you are ever planning on posting baby/ kid friendly recipies? There is really not much out there in terms of healthy recipes for the little ones :( Please Angela, do it!!!!!!!!